Uterus transplantation

A uterine transplant is the transplantation of a uterus in order to replace one which has undergone necrosis or in Müllerian agenesis. Though the procedure has significant potential, it has been performed only a few times.

History

In 1896, Knauer published the first study of ovarian autotransplantation documenting normal function (in a rabbit) and that lead to the investigation of uterine transplantation in 1918. Erslan, Hamernik and Hardy, in 1964 and 1966, were the first to perform an animal (dog) autotransplantation of the uterus and subsequently deliver a pregnancy from that uterus . In 2011 Edwin Ramirez M.D, et al.demonstrated that a pregnancy can be carried in a sheep transplanted uterus under the influence of immunosuppressive therapy. These experiments initiated in 2001 as a Ramirez family project at University of Texas, Odessa and ended in Bogota, Colombia at the La Salle University.^{[citation needed]}

In humans: In 1931, Lili Elbe died from organ rejection three months after receiving one of the world's earliest uterine transplants. With the availability of in vitro fertilization in 1978, uterine transplantation research was deferred (Confino et al. 1986). In Saudi Arabia in 2000, a uterine transplant was performed by Dr. Wafa Fagee from a 46 year old hysterectomy patient into a 26 year old recipient whose own uterus had hemorrhaged after childbirth. The transplanted uterus functioned for 99 days, however it ultimately needed to be removed after its failure due to blood clotting. Within the medical community there is some debate as to whether or not the transplant can truly be considered successful. Post-operatively, the patient had two spontaneous menstrual cycles, followed by amenorrhoea; exploratory laparotomy confirmed uterine necrosis. The procedure has raised some moral and ethical concerns.

Derya Sert, who was born without a uterus, has become the first woman in the world to receive a womb from a deceased donor. The operation, performed on 9th August 2011 by doctors from Akdeniz University Hospital in southern Turkey, has been a success. However, the Turkish team is still cautious about declaring the operation a complete success. “The surgery was a success… But we will be successful when she has her baby,” Ozkan said. “For now, we are happy that the tissue is living.”

Procedure

Uterus transplantation starts with uterus retrieval surgery on the donor. Working techniques for this exist for animals, including primates. It may need to be stored for e.g. transportation to the location of the donor. Studies on cold-ischemia/reperfusion indicate an ischemic tolerance of >24 h. The following insertion procedure, with vascular anastomosis, has not been fully developed in animal models, indicated by frequent thrombosis formation.

Application on transgendered women

It may be possible for trans women to receive uteruses, which would effectively represent a step closer to a true sex change in humans. Some concerns regarding genetics, anatomy and hormones addressed below:

1. Women with Swyer syndrome have male genetics and lack ovaries, but have a uterus. Similarly to trans women, they need hormone replacement therapy to induce female puberty and maintain female secondary sex characteristics. Such women have had successful pregnancies, though obviously requiring egg donation and IVF.
2. In the case of most trans women who began HRT past male puberty, the pelvis has failed to develop femininely and broaden as it would have before or during puberty. However, as proven by Nadya Suleman (octuplets), Lina Medina (youngest mother) and Stacey Herald (smallest mother at 71 cm ), a small pelvis is not an obstacle to gestation, even in extreme cases. Delivery would be via c-section.

External links

• Documentary on Uterine Transplants
• Uterine Transplants
• New York Times Article on Successful Uterine Transplant